Page 76 of Infala: The Bonding Games
“Because they are not supposed to disturb us.”
They hurried to the door, opening it to find the overseer from the earlier contests. Dorrin stepped forward, looming over the smarmy man.
“Yes? What is it?”
“You have been accused of a rules violation in today’s event.”
Ziana felt her anger flare. After all she’d been through, they were pulling this? “Violation? What violation? That’s ridiculous.”
The man merely smirked. “Whatever you may feel is irrelevant. You are required to attend the review session tomorrow.”
Dorrin didn’t like the sound of that. “But we are scheduled to?—”
“You will not be competing in tomorrow’s events,” the man said, cutting him off with clear delight.
“But our standing?—”
“Is not my concern. You will be escorted to the review session tomorrow afternoon, and that is final. Goodnight.”
With that he turned and left them standing in their doorway, stunned.
“This is bullshit! I played by the rules.”
Dorrin nodded his agreement. “Flagro and Galla, most likely. Or their father. Whoever it is, it’s an elite pulling strings to ensure we cannot win.”
“That’s bogus. What do we do?”
“We appeal, plead our case, and continue if we are allowed.”
“But our points?”
“We had taken the lead, but I fear after this it will be almost impossible to come back from such a setback.” He took her hands in his, locking eyes with his love in the most intense way. “But I promise you this, Ziana. I willnevergive up. Not on the games, and not on you.”
She liked the sound of that, but what that would mean in the grand scheme of things she had no idea.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Morning came after a fitful night’s sleep. Neither had rested well, both of their minds running through scenarios of what might come to pass at the review session. They didn’t even knowwhatalleged misdeed was being questioned, only that they were required to attend, and it was going to force them to miss a day of competition.
They decided to eat breakfast in, the thought of seeing the smug faces of the elites laughing at them enough of a worry that they chose to avoid them entirely. Given the bullshit scenario, neither could guarantee they wouldn’t go up and pop one of them in the mouth, andthatwould definitely be an unforgiveable offense.
They ate quietly for a long while, each lost in thought. It was Ziana who finally broke the silence.
“Dorrin?”
“Hmm?”
“I was wondering.”
“As was I.”
“No, not about whatever is going on today. I wondered about you and the games. I mean, me? I have no choice. But you? This is voluntary. Why put yourself through all this?”
He took a long drink from his cup, sitting in silence a moment before answering.
“You are aware that the winner of the games receives wealth and social standing.”
“Yes.”
